Fr. Thomas Hart, Final Speaker in SVC Series on Aging, Spirituality Nov. 13

Public Relations

Posted: Wednesday Oct 16, 2013

Oct. 16, 2013

Fr. Thomas M. Hart, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College instructor in theology and assistant to the president for mission, will be the final speaker in the Saint Vincent College Lecture Series on Aging and Spirituality at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the Fred M. Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent. His presentation is entitled, “Truth and Holiness, Catholicism and Other Religions.” Admission is free and open to the public.

“The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in non-Christian religions,” Fr. Thomas commented about his talk. “In this session, we will walk together through Nostra Aetate, wherein the Church commits itself irreversibly to both the proclamation of the Gospel and a commitment to sincere dialogue with other religious faiths.”

A native of Harrisburg, Fr. Thomas earned a bachelor of arts degree in theology and philosophy from the University of Steubenville, a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary and did graduate studies in biblical theology at the Catholic University of America.

He made simple profession of monastic vows for the Saint Vincent Benedictine Community in 1984 and solemn profession in 1987, and was ordained a priest in 1988 by the late Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of the Diocese of Greensburg.

At Saint Vincent he has worked as assistant director of Oblates and moderator of the Latrobe Deanery (1985-1987). He was named to the college faculty in 1993, where he was chair of the Religious Studies/Theology Department from 1997 until 2007, where he continues to teach. He has served as assistant to the president for mission (2002-2008, and 2010-present). He served as an advisor in the Saint Vincent College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity (1996-2000), and for the college chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (1997-2000). Fr. Thomas also served in the Religious Studies Department at West Virginia University from 1994 to 1997. His secondary interest is in interreligious dialogue.

Fr. Thomas has had articles published in Share the Word, The Bible Today, and Hard Gainer. He has also contributed a review to Purity of Heart and Contemplation: A Monastic Dialogue Between Christian and Asian Traditions, a bulletin of the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinica. An article, “Living the Joy of Lent,” received a third place Catholic Press Association Award for best essay, prayer and spirituality, in 2003. He offers workshops and retreats in numerous dioceses.

Fr. Thomas holds memberships in The Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature, and The Pittsburgh Jung Society. He received the Student Association Faculty Award from the college in 1995, and the Thoburn Award for Excellence in Teaching at Saint Vincent College in 2003.

Persons of all ages are welcome to attend and share in the discussion and questions.

Parking for the physically challenged is available at the Fred M. Rogers Center. All participants may park in Parking Area A and enter the Rogers Center at the first floor entrance.

Reservations are not required. For additional information, phone 724-805-2522.